General News
16 August, 2024
Future of local leadership program in question amid funding uncertainty
The program that equipped mayor Liesbeth Long with the confidence to step into the position, could soon be discontinued due to significant funding cuts — and a potential closure would threaten the development of local leaders.
For the last 26 years, the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program (LMCLP) has trained over 650 participants to take on leadership roles in various capacities.
But that legacy could now come to an end, with the initiative not likely to continue beyond 2024 after being hit by an “unprecedented financial crisis”.
Heavily reliant on government funding, the program has been adversely impacted by recent cuts in spending.
“Despite its proven track record and widespread community support, securing sufficient funds to continue operations... has become increasingly challenging,” a statement released by the organisation responsible for the program — LEAD Loddon Murray, said.
“The potential loss of the LMCLP would not only impact future leadership opportunities but also undermine the momentum gained in regional development initiatives over the past two decades.”
In previous years, nearly 70 percent of capital for the program was supplied by the State Government, with the remaining made up by sponsorships.
To have almost three quarters of funding cut, means the initiative would also have to considerably pull back its offerings.
“Ultimately without the required finances, we can’t run a program,” LMCLP director Jude Hannah said.
“If we weren’t to secure additional funding and we just relied on sponsors then we’d have to pare the program back to really bare bones.
“We’re all very passionate about this and so [we’ll] do whatever it takes to keeping running it because once we go off the horizon, it’s very hard to bring the program back.”
Not only would it be difficult to reestablish itself, a closure could lead to another kind of loss — with cumulative effects.
“We owe it to our communities to save this — if it is stopped our regional and rural towns won’t have people with crucial leadership skills,” Ms Hannah said.
“It’s people with those qualities that initiate change — we don’t want to slide backwards into being the poor side of the state.”
Ideally, Ms Hannah said, the community would back the program and throw their support behind it.
“We want to see some effort put in by private and public funders who are willing to be part of this network of great leaders across our region,” she said.
When it operates on a full-tank, LMCLP runs for 10 months each year — covering a number of sessions, including taking partici-pants on multiple intensive retreats and helping them understand indigenous as well as other stakeholder perspectives.
“One way people can assist us is, to think about sponsoring part of the retreats — even if we can cover our costs for these, it would certainly go a long way in making a difference,” Ms Hannah said.
If interested parties wanted to help fund the program, what tangible outcomes would they be supporting?
To understand the program’s overall influence, it’s important to take a look at why it started in the first place.
“Back in 1998, conversations were being had about the Murray-Darling Basin and there was a need for regional and rural people to have their voices heard,” Ms Hannah said.
“It was about being represented at the table — to have a stake in what was happening.
“That’s what led to the start of the program, the need for [local leaders].”
Since then, LMCLP graduates have historically gone on to lead key initiatives, have stepped into local government and have also become entrepreneurs.
They have strengthened the “social and economic fabric of the Loddon Murray region, contributing more than $20 million in volunteer hours each year”.
One such alumna is the Central Goldfields Shire Council’s mayor and LEAD Loddon Murray’s chair — Liesbeth Long.
“If it wasn’t for [LMCLP] I would simply not have even considered running for council let alone putting my hand up to become mayor,” Ms Long said.
She has completed three programs, clocking in a total of 36 months’ worth of part-time learning.
“These courses have honed my leadership skills and prepared me for my leadership journey on council,” she said.
“The personal growth and skill set I obtained whilst completing them has been invaluable.
“As the current LEAD Loddon Murray board chair, it breaks my heart that after 26 years, this may well be the end of this great program that has given so much to not only our shire, but the whole Loddon Murray district.”
With the deadline for “tough decisions” approaching, LEAD Loddon Murray is exploring all possible avenues for securing funds necessary to continue facilitating LMCLP.
“The program’s leaders remain hopeful that with the community's support and a renewed commitment from funding bodies, the LMCLP will be able to continue its crucial work well into the future,” the organisation’s statement said.
For further information or to offer support, contact LEAD Loddon Murray at info@leadlm.org.au